Switch or deflector device for directing the products of printing machines



Oct. 24, 1950 G. TURRALL SWITCH OR DEFLECTOR DEVICE FOR DIRECTING THEPRODUCTS 0F PRINTING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 8, 1946 11 1 11111 an 1 1 1 Q m mw 11nnuu1 Hr T l l 1.1.l\4 1 11 -1111 .1 1

Oct. 24, 1950 G. TURR 2,526,916

swx OR DEFLECTOR PRODUCTS OF DE FOR DIRECTING FRI TI G MACHINES FiledMay 8, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 24, 1950 SWITCH OR- DEFLECTORDEVICE 1 R DIRECTING THE PRODUCTS OF PRINT-,

ING MACHINES George Turrall, London, England, assignor to R. Hoe & Co.Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application May 8,1946, Serial No. 668,247 In Great Britain May 14 1945 13 Claims. (Cl.271-64) This invention relates to improvements in switch or deflectingmechanism (hereinafter referred to as switch mechanism) for use indiverting from one path to another the products passing from a printingmachine. This need for diversion arises in different conditions andhitherto difliculty has been experienced in obtaining a satisfactoryswitching action especially at high operating speeds. It has been commonto provide what may be termed a gate supported for pivotal movementabout an axis disposed in the line of approach of the products to beswitched and the invention is especially concerned with this kind ofswitch. It is usual to dispose the axis of pivotal movement at the endof the switch which is remote from the operative part which. ispresented to the oncoming products. With this arrangement, the free oroperative edge of the switch has to be swung completely across the lineof approach of the products and difficulty arises from the fact that(especially in high-speed machines) this movement has to be effected ina very short time, for unless the switch switches over completely in thetime available, th oncoming products are liable to hit the free end ofthe switch and so be mutilated and cause a jam to occur.

The main object of this invention is to provide a switch device whichwill enable this dimculty to be avoided and this object is achievedbroadly broadly stated according to this invention by providing a switchdevice which is mounted for switching movement about an axis which isadjacent to the presented surface of the switch; with this arrangement,the presented surface has only a relatively small movement; indeed itmay be said that the action of the presented surface of the switch ismerely to give a small directional lead to the oncoming productswhereafter they pass naturally along the appertaining side of theswitch. Obviously the time available for the operation of the switch canthus be increased as compared with that of the normal arrangement. Theinvention further consists in providing an improved operating mechanismfor the switch whereby the switch will be changed over or reversedwithout appreciable shock, this being effected by a mechanism whichoperates progressively to pick-up and pass from the switch.

The invention is illustrated in the accompany ing drawings in whichFigure 1 is an end' e1eva-' elevation showing the parts illustrated inFigure 1 in a second position, Figure 5 a modified form of switch andFigure 6 a modified arrangement of mechanism for operating the switch.

The switch comprises a number of elements S (Figures 2 and 3) spacedalong a shaft l disposed across the line of approach of the products P,the direction of approach being indicated by the arrow X. In Figures 1-5the products will issue from the nip of rollers 2, 3 in a more or lesshorizontal direction.

In the construction shown in Figures 1-3, each element S is ofapproximately the shape of a major segment of a circle the chord ofwhich is however slightly curved, this face indicated at 4 forming theoperative or deflecting face. The shaft l is arranged to be angularlymoved first in one direction and then in the other direction b mechanismhereinafter described and the elements S are so positioned that in oneposition of the shaft i the deflecting face slopes downwards as seen inFigure 2 from above the line P and in the other position slopes upwardsfrom a point below the line P.

The rollers 2, 3 are grooved as indicated at I, 8 as seen most clearlyin Figures 2 and 3 the grooves being in register with the elements S andthe shaft l is so disposed that the operating or nose end of theelements can be received in the grooves with the adjoining circular partof the elements passing closely to the root of the grooves. Thus, asseen in Figure 2, the nose of each element S is received in the groove 1of the upper roller 2 at a time when the operating face 4 is positionedto deflect the products P downwardly: similarly when the operating face4 is reversed to deflect the products upwardly, the nose of each elementS is received in the groove 8 in the roller 3. It will be seen that withthis arrangement there is provided by the nose end of each element S abarrier which positively prevents the leading edge of a product frompassing except in the direction up or down as determined by the positionof the deflecting face l between which and one or other roller 2, 3 isformed a gap permitting the passage of the products.

In the modified form of element S shown in Figure 5, the element issymmetrical about a longitudinal centre line and has two deflectingfaces (to, ib, which join at a nose just ahead of the shaft i. In thisarrangement the nose returns into the grooves l, 8 in the rollers 2, 3and perform the same function as that ascribed for the constructionshown in Figures 1 1.

In a further modification (not shown) each element may be in the form ofa circular disc mounted eccentrically on the shaft I, the shaftoperating to shift the eccentricity of the disc from one side of theline P to the other.

In all of the constructions it is to be noted that the part of theelement which is presented to the oncoming product is close to the axisof the shaft I so that the amount of movement of the nose across theline P is small as compared with the usual gate arrangement of switchwhere the nose end is at a considerable distance forward of the axis ofpivotal movement. Indeed it may be said that the reversal of theelements is effected not so much by bodily movement but rather by acamming action to give the requisite lead to the oncoming products, andas a result the operation can be effected at high speeds withoutdifficulty of operation. It may also be observed that referring forexample to Figure 2, it is intended that the element S shall be turnedin a clockwise direction when it is operated to change the direction ofdeflection.

The switch, or more precisely, the shaft I would, when the switch deviceis required to effect counting of th products, be operated to divertfirst a number of successive products along one path and then, therequired count number having been directed along that path,

by switching over divert the succeeding products P i to another path,and so on.

Such a condition arises for example in connection with countingmechanism wherein there are provided upper and lower conveyor beltsillustrated in, Figure l of the accompanying drawing at 5, 6 to one ofwhich first one counted batch is delivered whereupon the products arediverted to deliver a counted batch to the other conveyor.

While an convenient mechanism can be provided to operate the shaft I,that shown in Figure 1 is preferred: this mechanism employs the Genevawheel movement which ensures a rapid but progressive operation and apositive locking of the switch i each extreme position. Thus, the shaftI has secured to it a Geneva disc 9 having a diametrical groove II]which receives alternately driving pegs II, I2 respectively on bracketsI3, I 4 mounted on carriers I5, of circular disc form. fast with a wormwheel I'I, I8 respectively in mesh with worms I9, 29 on a single drivenshaft 2I so that the carriers are driven in synchronism and in oppositedirections.

The disc 9 has its peripher cut away to provide concavities 22 having aradius equal to that of the discs I5, l6 and the discs I5, Ifi havetheir peripheries cut away to provide concavities 23, 24 respectively ofthe radius equal to that of the unrecessed parts of the periphery of thedisc 9. In addition the discs I5, I5 are cut away at 25, 26.

With the parts in the position shown in Figure 1, the peg I2 is therotation of the disc I 6 just about to leave the groove I0 and a part ofthe circular periphery of the disc l6 has just entered one of therecesses 22 in the disc 9: the disc 9 is thus positively locked againstmovement although the disc I5 is still able to rotate. Another recess 22is positioned to enable the circular part of the other disc I5 to moveinto it. In the continued rotation of the discs 55, It, the peg IIenters the groove I!) and at the same time the cut-away part 2% of thedisc i6 moves over to register with the disc 9. The disc 5 is Thecarriers are respectively now freed from restraint and as the peg IIruns down the groove II] it turns the disc 9 in clockwise directionuntil it is just about to run out of the groove; thereupon a circularpart of the disc I5 moves into one of the recesses 22 in the disc 9which becomes positively locked in the manner already described in theoperation of the peg I2, the recess 23 in the disc I5 permitting thecircular part of the disc 9 to move while it is driven by the peg II.After a predetermined interval the peg I2 on the disc I6 enters thegroove ii) and the operation described with respect to the disc I5 isrepeated.

The shaft 2| is driven from some part of the machine which issynchronized with the delivery of products to the rollers I, 2 and hencethe operation of the Geneva mechanism described is related to thedelivery of products: thus, the disc 9 being fast with the shaft I, theswitch discs S are caused to be moved first in one direction and then inthe other direction and are held locked in each extreme position.

This dual Geneva mechanism has the important operating advantage thateach peg II or I2 enters smoothly into the groove I0 and graduallyimparts drive to the disc 9 up to a maximum rate which then graduallyfalls to a minimum when the peg moves. smoothly out of the grooves: thusdrive is effected without heavy impact or shock, a factor ofconsiderable importance when operating at high speeds.

In the description so far given, the products P are described as passingin a horizontal direction to the switch mechanism: the mechanism canhowever as shown in Figure 4 be set to handle products passingvertically down from rollers 2, 3.

Reference will now be made to the arrangement shown in Figure 6: thisarrangement is intended primarily to give an accelerated motion to thedisc I5 and hence the peg II when this enters the groove III to reversethe switch elements S to deflect products upwardly. It will beappreciated that to deflect products upwardly is to operate againsttheir natural tendency to fall and that to counteract this it may bedesirable to have a more rapid reversal for upward defiection than fordownward deflection. To effect this the shaft 2| is arranged not only tobe rotated continuously but also moved axially at intervals, the wormsI9, 20 operating additionally as racks and imparting an additionalcomponent of rotation to the wheels I'I, I8: this additional componentbeing additive during the engagement of the peg II with the groove I0and cor respondingly subtractive thereafter, but before the peg I2 comesinto operation. The axial movement of the shaft 2I is effected by arotating disc 21 having a cam track 28 engaged by a follower 29 on alever 30 pivoted at 3| and having an arcuate slot 32 receiving one endof a link 33 the other end of which is connected to a yoke 34 on theshaft 2|.

It may be required to accelerate the operation of both pegs II and I2for effecting both directions of deflection and in this case, themechanism shown in Figure 6 could again be employed but the cam track 28would have two operating surfaces.

Where, as in Figure 1, the products are caused to change direction fromthe vertical as they pass from the usual folding-off rollers to thehori- Zontal for laying on the conveyors 5, B, con-- venient arrangementwould comprise a third steeple roller 35, the; roller: 2 already;referred to. co,- operating not. only with; the; roller 3-: but alsowith the roller 3:51; the: two rollers. 2; and; 35: form the usualfolding-off: rollers Between the i llers 35 and 3. extends a curvedguide plate, (or plates), which divert the leading edges of, theproducts as they pass vertically from between the rollers 2 and. 351into. the horizontal direction to pass between the rollers 21 and 3whence: they are controlled by the switch device of this, invention.

What I claim is:

1'. In a printing machine a pair of grooved rollers, means to deliverproducts in a stream between said rollers, a switch device having a convexly curved deflectingsurface, means supporting the switch device forangular movement about an axis on the delivery side ofsaid rollers andin line with the line of movement of the products therefrom and means tomovethe switch device to cause the deflecting surface alternately toco-operate with either roller to provide a product passage, and tosimultaneously enter a groove in the other roller to provide a closureto products.

2. In a printing machine, means to deliver products in a continuousstream, a switch device having a deflecting surface, means supportingthe switch device for angular movement about an axis disposed in theline of movement of the products and closely behind the deflectingsurface, and means to move the switch device about said axis to deflectproducts in different directions, the said moving means comprising adriven member supported for angular movement, means connecting thedriven member to said switch device, driving members, meanssupportingthe driving members for rotation to carry them progressively into andout of drive connection with the driven member and means to rotate saiddriving members, so: that they pass alternately into and out of driveconnection with the driven member.

3. In a printing machine a pair of rollers, means to deliver products ina stream between said rollers, a switch device having a deflectingsurface, means supporting the switch device for angular movement aboutan axis on the delivery side of said rollers and in line with the; lineof movement of the products therefrom and, means to move the switchdevice to cause the deflecting surface alternately to co-operate withone roller to provide a product passage and with the other roller toprovide a closure to products the, said moving means comprising a drivenmember supported for angular movemenumeans connecting the driven memberto said switchv device, driving members, means supporting the drivingmembers for rotation to carry them successively into and out of driveconnection with the driven member and means to rotate said drivingmembers, so that they pass alternately into and out of drive connectionwith the driven member.

4. In a printing machine a pair of grooved rollers, means to deliverproducts in a stream between said rollers, a switch device having adefleeting surface, means supporting the switch device for angularmovement about an axis on the delivery side of said rollers and in linewith the line of movement of the products therefrom and means to movethe switch device to cause the defleeting surface alternately toco-operate with one roller to provide a product passage, and to enter agroove in the other roller to provide a closure to products, the saidmoving means comprising a driven member supported for angular movemerit,means, connecting the driven member to said: switch device, a pair ofrotatable driving and locking members, and means to rotate said drivingand locking members so that they pass alternately into and out of,driving engagement with the driven member and during a portion of itsrotation each driving and locking member prevents motion of the drivenmember.

5. In a printing machine, means to deliver products in a continuousstream, a switch device havinga deflecting surface, means supporting theswitch device for angular movement about an axis disposed in. the lineof movement of the products and closely behind-the deflecting surface,and: means to move the switch device about said axis to. deflectproducts in different directions, the said moving means comprising agrooved driven member supported for angular movement, means connectingthe driven member to, said switch device, driving members, meanssupporting the driving members, for continuous rotation such that theysuccessively enter and pass'out of engagement with, said grooved. drivenmember and. means, to rotate said driving members.

6.. In a printing machine, means. to deliver products in a continuousstream, a switch device, means supporting the switch device for angularmovement, and means to move the switch device first in one direction andthen inthe other direction, the said SWltChdl'lOl/lllg means comprisinga driven member supported for angular movement, means connecting thedriven member, to said switch device, a pair of driving and lockingmembers, means supporting the driving and locking members for rotationto carry each of them progressively into and out of drive connectionwith. the driven member and means to rotate said driving and lockingmembers, so that their driving elements pass alternately into and out ofdrive connection with the driven member and during a portion of itsrotation each driving and locking member prevents motion of the drivenmember.

7. In a printing machine, means to deliver products in a continuousstream, a switch device, means supporting the switch device for angularmovement, and means to move the switch device first in one direction andthen in the other direction, the said switch-moving means comprising agrooved driven member supported for angular movement, means connectingthe driven member to said switch device, driving members, meanssupporting the driving members for continuous rotation such that theysuccessively enter and pass out of engagement with said grooved drivenmember and means torotate said driving members.

8. In a printing machine, means to deliver products in a, continuousstream, a switch device having a deflecting surface, means supportingthe switch device for angular movement about an axis disposed in theline of movement of the products and closely behind the deflectingsurface, and means to move the switch device about said axis to deflectproducts in diiferent directions, the said moving means comprising adriven member supported for angular movement, means connecting thedriven member to said switch device, driving members, means supportingthe driving members for rotation to carry them progressively into andout of drive connection with the driven member, means to rotate saiddriving members, so that they pass alternately into and out of driveconnection with the driven member and means to accelerate at least onedriving member as it passes into engagement with the driven member.

9. In a printing machine, means to deliver products in a continuousstream, a switch device having a deflecting surface, means supportingthe switch device for angular movement about an axis disposed in theline of movement of the products and closely behind the deflectingsurface, and means to move the switch device about said axis to deflectproducts in different directions, the said moving means comprising agrooved driven member supported for angular movement, means connectingthe driven member to said switch device, a pair of carriers havingdriving members and locking surfaces, means supporting the carriers forcontinuous rotation such that their driving members successively enterand pass out of engagement with said grooved driven member and theirlocking surfaces prevent its movement during periods when it is notdriven, means to rotate said driving members and means to accelerate atleast one driving member as it passes into engagement with the drivenmember.

10. In a printing machine, means to deliver products in a continuousstream, a switch device having a deflecting surface, means supportingthe switch device for angular movement about an axis disposed in theline of movement of the products and closely behind the deflectingsurface, and means to move the switch device about said axis to deflectproducts in different directions, the said moving means comprising agrooved driven member supported for angular movement, means connectingthe driven member to said switch device, driving members, meanssupporting the driving members for continuous rotation such that theysuccessively enter and pass out of engagement with said grooved drivenmember the said driving and driven members having locking surfacesdisposed to engage as the driving members pass out of drive connectionwith the driven member and means to rotate said driving members.

11. In a printing machine, means to direct products in a continuousstream, a switch device members continuously and unidirectionally tocarry the driving members successively into and out of drivingengagement with the driven member, and means to cause relative axialmovement between the Worm and worm-wheel to accelerate at least onedriving member as it passes into engagement with the driven member.

12. In a printing machine, means to direct products in a continuousstream, a switch device disposed in the path of said stream, meansmounting the switch device for oscillatory movement about an axisdisposed in the line of the stream of products and adjacent the face ofthe switch which is presented to the products and means to oscillate theswitch at predetermined intervals, the said means comprising a drivenmember coupled to the switch, driving members mounted for rotation, arotatable worm and worm-wheel mechanism to rotate said driving memberscontinuously and unidirectionally to carry the driving memberssuccessively into and out of driving engagement with the driven member,and means to cause relative axial movement between the worm andworm-wheel to accelerate at least one driving member as it passes intoengagement with the driven member.

13. In a printing machine, first and second rollers between whichproducts are forwarded for delivery to either of two conveying means, apivotally supported switch device having a convexly curved peripheralsurface with a first portion formed to cooperate with one of the rollersto provide a pathway for the products and a second portion formed tosimultaneously cooperate with the other roller to prevent passage ofproducts, and means to divert the products toward either conveying meansby swinging the switch device to move the said first portion of thecurved peripheral surface across the path of approaching products, froma position adjacent one said roller to a position adjacent the othersaid roller.

GEORGE TURRALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 4,400 I-Ioe May 30, 1871399,987 Goss et a1 Mar. 19, 1889 1,078,997 Droitcour Nov. 18, 19131,464,462 Wood Aug. 7, 1923 1,747,384 Olson et al. Feb. 18, 19301,784,854 Tufts et al. Dec. 16, 1930 1,784,855 Tufts et al. Dec. 16,1930 1,825,217 Tufts et al Sept. 29, 1931 1,850,932 Holms Mar. 22, 19322,251,596 OMalley Aug. 5, 1941

